UNITED KINGDOM, 29 April 2025 – The Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Haji Openg, led a high-level mission to the United Kingdom (UK) in a landmark initiative to deepen strategic ties and strengthen technological collaboration between Sarawak and the UK.
The visit took place at the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult Innovation Centre, commenced with a networking session involving senior representatives from the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Wales Office. The event also welcomed officials from the governments of Welsh, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A key highlight of the visit was the formal exchange of agreements, marking a major step forward in a bilaterial cooperation. SMD Semiconductor Sdn Bhd (SMD) and Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult Ltd signed a joint technology and market evaluation study focused on chiplet and heterogeneous integration involving compound semiconductor and silicon.
In addition, SMD formalised a strategic partnership with Silicon Catalyst UK and entered into a service agreement with 5G3i Ltd, further extending its international footprint in the semiconductor ecosystem.
During the ceremony, SMD Chairman, The Honourable Dato Sri Dr. Haji Wan Lizozman Bin Wan Omar, delivered an in-depth presentation on the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030, outlining the Sarawak’s vision to become a regional leader in advanced electronics, green technology and digital innovation.
“In this rapidly evolving landscape, Sarawak must not only adapt, but lead by embracing bold ideas, investing in frontier technologies, and forging strategic global partnerships. The Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030 charts this path forward: a blueprint to accelerate innovation, build deep local capabilities, and position Sarawak as a competitive and future-ready player in the global semiconductor ecosystem.” said Dato Sri Dr. Haji Wan Lizozman Bin Wan Omar.
Furthermore, he also mentioned that Sarawak is open to mutual investment opportunities with the UK. By combining the highly innovative ecosystems of the UK with Sarawak’s cost competitiveness, abundant renewable energy supply, and skilled workforce, Sarawak aim to establish a resilient second source of supply for the global semiconductor industry.
The event also featured a live demonstration of SMD’s AI-enabled Powered Converter prototype, led by SMD Chief Executive Officer, Shariman Jamil. The technology is designed to address the energy efficiency challenges posed by the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly in grid energy management, AI-enabled devices, and data centre operations.
This technology milestone supports the development of energy-optimised AI infrastructure and next-generation applications such as smart, stable grid forming inverter and high-performing motor drives, reinforcing Sarawak’s leadership in sustainable semiconductor solutions.
The key highlight of the event was the soft launch of keteq.ai – SMD’s new AI-Enabled Power Converter, officiated by the Premier of Sarawak.
This milestone underscores Sarawak’s commitment and readiness to play a significant role in advancing the global power electronics and AI technology landscape.
“In collaboration with UK partners, SMD has successfully developed keteq.ai, SMD’s new AI-Enabled Power Converter – a world-first technology capable of detecting, predicting, and correcting system errors in real time, within less than one-tenth of a millisecond. This technology is not just a feat of engineering, it is a symbol of Sarawak’s transition from user to innovator, from follower to co-creator in the global semiconductor space.” said Sarawak’s Premier.
SMD CEO, Shariman Jamil also mentioned: “Today marks a bold leap forward for Sarawak’s presence in the global semiconductor arena. Through our strategic partnerships with CSA Catapult, we are building a collaborative ecosystem that connects Sarawak with some of the most advanced semiconductor innovators in the world. The agreement is more than symbolic as they are actionable commitments to co-create breakthrough technologies, accelerate R&D, and open new markets. With the opening of our R&D Innovation hub in UK, we are positioning ourselves on the world stage in driving future-ready chip design and innovation.”
“Advances in AI computing are already rapidly spreading from data centres to Edge devices. However, to unlock the full potential of Edge AI will require new and bold approaches to semiconductor devices. We’re delighted to have SMD Semiconductor locate with us at our Innovation Centre in Newport and to kickstart a programme of activity that will see us design, develop and innovate technology to enable the next generation of Edge AI devices.” said Raj Gawera, CEO at CSA Catapult.
“This formal partnership strengthens ties between the UK, Sarawak and Malaysian governments and is another example of how international partnerships are helping the UK grow its semiconductor industry and create strong, resilient supply chains for the future.”
Following the product showcase and agreement exchanges, the delegation toured the CSA Catapult Innovation Centre, highlighting the success of SMD’s international expansion and its pivotal role in fostering trilateral collaboration between governments, academia and industry in both the UK, Malaysia and Sarawak.
The visit builds upon the Memorandum of Agreement signed in June 2024 at the House of Commons between SMD and CSA Catapult. The initial agreement laid the foundation for collaboration in advanced chip design, prototyping, and manufacturing, and included commitments to talent and skills development in partnership with both governments and academic institutions.
The presence of the Sarawak’s Premier and the Sarawak delegation reaffirms the Sarawak’s strong commitment to global innovation partnerships and its ambition to be a driving force in the next-generation semiconductor technologies.
Article originally posted here.
